By Callum Ludwig
The Yarra Valley Seventh-Day Adventist Church is continuing its efforts to boost community health.
The annual community health events are open to all interested, with this year’s ‘De-Stress and Thrive’ session focused on mental health.
Church member and psychiatrist Horatio Selagea said historically, the Seventh-day Adventist worldwide has been a big advocate of healthy living, promoting a plant-based diet and a physically active lifestyle for its members but also for the community.
“Our church in Wandin North, like many other Adventist churches, has been running health programs every year, on a variety of topics, both in terms of raising awareness of these health issues and also in terms of promoting the advantages of a healthy lifestyle in their prevention and treatment,” he said.
“In the busyness of our day and age, many people struggle with the stress and pressures of their day-to-day workload,”
“The ‘De-stress & Thrive’ program will teach them valuable stress management techniques and strategies to help them manage their stress for a happier life.”
Previous events held at the Yarra Valley Seventh-Day Adventist Church has focused on other health issues such as dental health, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and cancer.
Mr Selegea said he believes these programs have been very good sources of information and motivation for all participants, church members and community participants alike.
“They encouraged participants to adopt healthier lifestyle habits and thus reduce their risk of developing some of the common chronic health issues plaguing our society today,” he said.
“They also raised awareness of when it’s important to access professional health services.”
The first of the De-Stress and Thrive sessions will be held on Saturday 24 August at 4.30pm.
Mr Selegea said they are excited to offer this program for the first time ever to their community, so have decided to offer it at a free introductory rate, while the usual cost of the program is $35.
“The program consists in 6 weekly intensive 90min sessions, teaching participants things such as: relaxation strategies (deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, etc.); mental, emotional and sensory strategies to manage stress; the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle in managing stress; and so forth,” he said.
To register for the event, visit eliawellness.com/event/de-stress.
